Paper sheet handling machine

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a paper sheet handling machine  1  configured to take therein paper sheets from the exterior and then storing the paper sheets in the interior thereof. This paper sheet handling machine  1  includes storage spaces  30   p,    40   p  respectively provided therein. Each storage space  30   p,    40   p  is configured to store therein the paper sheets taken in the machine  1  from the exterior, in a stacked condition. Further, the paper sheet handling machine  1  includes stacking units  30, 40,  each having an opening provided in one side face thereof for allowing the paper sheets stored in each storage space  30   p,    40   p  to be taken out, and a transport unit  20  configured to transport the paper sheets taken in the machine  1  from the exterior, toward each of the stacking units  30, 40.  In addition, pushing units, each configured to push the paper sheets stored in each storage space  30   p,    40   p  of the stacking unit  30  or  40  toward the opening, are provided to the paper sheet handling machine  1.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a paper sheet handling machine whichcan take paper sheets therein from the exterior and then store them inthe interior thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the past, a banknote handling machine, which can store thereinbanknotes deposited from a customer, while sorting them, for eachdenomination of banknotes, has been known. In the banknote handlingmachine of this type, the banknotes are first received in a hopper upona deposit operation for the banknotes, and then the banknotes receivedin the hopper are fed into the banknote handling machine, one by one, bya banknote feeding unit.

Thereafter, the banknotes fed in the banknote handling machine aredetected, respectively, by a recognition unit provided to a transportpath, in regard to the fitness, authenticity, denomination, orientation,face/back, transported condition and the like. Then, the banknotes thatcannot be recognized by the recognition unit (e.g., damaged unfitbanknotes or the like) and/or banknotes that have been excluded from thebanknotes to be stored in each stacking unit, because of their abnormaltransported condition (e.g., an obliquely transported condition or thelike), even after they have been sufficiently recognized, will be fed toa reject unit provided in the banknote handling machine.

Meanwhile, the banknotes judged to be stored in the banknote handlingmachine by the recognition unit are sorted, for example, for eachdenomination thereof, based on each recognition result of therecognition unit, and then fed selectively to each stacking unitcorresponding to the denomination. As a result, the banknotes are storedin each stacking unit in a stacked state. In this way, the banknotesreceived in the hopper of the banknote handling machine can be sortedfor each denomination thereof and then stored in the banknote handlingmachine.

For instance, the banknote handling machine as described above isdisclosed in JP2002-74464A.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

However, in the case of the conventional banknote handling machine asdisclosed in JP2002-74464A, the banknotes fed into each stacking unitfrom the transport path are stacked in a relatively rearward portion ofthe stacking unit. Therefore, an operator cannot readily take out suchbanknotes stacked in the stacking unit. In particular, in the case thebanknotes, each having a relatively small long-edge size, such as eurobanknotes or the like, are stored in the banknote handling machine, itis rather difficult for the operator to confirm the stacked condition ofsuch banknotes with eyes. Therefore, in such a case, some banknotes maybe left in the stacking unit, without being taken out by the operator.

Additionally, in the aforementioned conventional banknote handlingmachine, when a portion of the banknotes are stored in one stacking unitin an abnormal stacked condition, more specifically, when a portion ofthe banknotes are stored in the stacking unit in a standing state, thereis a risk that only a batch of the banknotes in the normal stackedcondition may be taken out, while the portion of the banknotes stored insuch an abnormal condition are still left in the stacking unit.

The present invention was made in light of the above problem. Therefore,it is an object of the invention to provide the paper sheet handlingmachine, which can facilitate to take out the paper sheets by pushingthe paper sheets stored in the rearward portion of each stacking unittoward an opening of the stacking unit, as well as can prevent the papersheets stored in the stacking unit in the abnormal stacked conditionfrom being left in the stacking unit, without being taken out therefrom,by also pushing such paper sheets stored in the abnormal stackedcondition in the stacking unit toward the opening thereof.

A paper sheet handling machine of the present invention, which isconfigured to take paper sheets therein from the exterior and then storethe paper sheets in the interior thereof, and comprises: a stacking unithaving a storage space provided therein and an opening formed in a sideface thereof, the storage space being configured to store therein thepaper sheets taken in the machine from the exterior, while the openingbeing configured to allow the paper sheets stored in the storage spaceto be taken out therethrough; a transport unit configured to transportthe paper sheets taken in the machine from the exterior, toward thestacking unit; and a pushing unit configured to push the paper sheetsstored in the storage space of the stacking unit, toward the opening.

According to the above paper sheet handling machine, the paper sheetsstored in the relatively rearward portion of the storage space of thestacking unit in a stacked state or standing state can be pushed towardthe opening of the stacking unit (or pushed forward when seen on theoperator side) by the pushing unit. Therefore, the operator can readilytake out the paper sheets stored in the storage space of the stackingunit. Please note that the direction in which the paper sheets arepushed by the pushing unit may be substantially horizontal direction,obliquely upward or obliquely downward. Furthermore, the paper sheetsstored in the stacking unit in the abnormal stacked condition, morespecifically, the paper sheets stored in the stacking unit in thestanding state, can also be pushed toward the opening of the stackingunit. Thus, the above paper sheet handling machine can securely preventthe paper sheets stored in the abnormal stacked condition from beingleft in the stacking unit, without being taken out by the operator.

In the paper sheet handling machine of the present invention, it ispreferred that the stacking units are provided in a plural number, whilethe pushing units are also provided in the plural number, correspondingto the respective stacking units. According to this paper sheet handlingmachine, the paper sheets can be stored in the respective stackingunits, while being sorted for each kind thereof, e.g., for eachdenomination thereof.

In the paper sheet handling machine of the present invention, it ispreferred that the paper sheet handling machine further comprises afirst detector provided to the transport unit and configured to detecteach paper sheet transported by the transport unit; and a control unitconfigured to control the pushing unit, and the control unit controlsthe pushing unit to push the paper sheets stored in the storage space ofthe stacking unit toward the opening, in the case the first detectordetects that a predetermined number of paper sheets are fed to thestacking unit. According to this paper sheet handling machine, theoperator can take out the paper sheets from the storage unit, for eachbatch of the predetermined number of paper sheets.

In the paper sheet handling machine of the present invention, it ispreferred that the paper sheet handling machine further comprises thecontrol unit configured to control the pushing unit, and the controlunit controls the pushing unit to push the paper sheets stored in thestorage space of the stacking unit toward the opening, in the case thenumber of the paper sheets stored in the stacking unit reaches apredetermined maximum storage number assigned to the stacking unit.According to this paper sheet handling machine, when the paper sheetscan no longer be stored in the stacking unit, the paper sheets stored inthe storage space are pushed toward the opening of the stacking unit.Thus, the operator can take out the batch of paper sheets correspondingto the maximum storage number assigned to the storage unit.

In the paper sheet handling machine of the present invention, it ispreferred that the paper sheet handling machine further comprises asecond detector provided to the stacking unit and configured to detectwhether or not the paper sheets are stored in the storage space of thestacking unit, the control unit is configured to control the pushingunit as well as control the transport unit, and the control unitcontrols the pushing unit and transport unit to interrupt thetransportation of the paper sheets by the transport unit, in the casethe first detector detects that the predetermined number of paper sheetsis fed to the stacking unit, while controlling the pushing unit andtransport unit to restart the transportation of the paper sheets by thetransport unit, in the case the second detector detects that the papersheets, which have been pushed toward the opening by the pushing unit inthe stacking unit, are taken out from the stacking unit. According tothis paper sheet handling machine, the operator can take out the papersheets from the stacking unit, for each batch of the predeterminednumber of paper sheets. Besides, the storage of the paper sheets intothe stacking unit can be automatically restarted, after the operatortakes out the batch of paper sheets from the stacking unit.

In the paper sheet handling machine of the present invention, it ispreferred that the control unit is configured to control the pushingunit as well as control the transport unit, and the control unitcontrols the pushing unit and transport unit to interrupt thetransportation of the paper sheets by the transport unit, in the casethe first detector detects that the predetermined number of paper sheetsare fed to the stacking unit, while controlling the pushing unit andtransport unit to restart the transportation of the paper sheets by thetransport unit, after the paper sheets are pushed toward the opening bythe pushing unit in the stacking unit, thereby newly feeding the papersheets onto a top face of the paper sheets that have been pushed towardthe opening. According to this paper sheet handling machine, the papersheets can be shifted in position, in the stacking unit, for each batchof the predetermined number of paper sheets. Therefore, the operator cantake out the paper sheets from the stacking unit, for each batch of thepredetermined number of paper sheets.

In the paper sheet handling machine of the present invention, it ispreferred that the paper sheet handling machine further comprises thecontrol unit configured to control the pushing unit, and the controlunit controls the pushing unit to push the paper sheets stored in thestorage space of the stacking unit toward the opening, in the case thetransportation of the paper sheets to the stacking unit by the transportunit is ended. According to this paper sheet handling machine, theoperator can take out the batch of paper sheets from the stacking unit,after the completion of the transportation of the paper sheets to thestacking unit.

In the paper sheet handling machine of the present invention, it ispreferred that the storage space provided in the stacking unit iscomposed of a space surrounded by a bottom face and one or more sidefaces of the stacking unit, one of the side faces has a stacking wheelattached thereto, the stacking wheel being configured to stack eachpaper sheet fed to the stacking unit from the transport unit, in thestorage space, and the bottom face constituting the storage space isdownwardly inclined toward the one side face having the stacking wheelattached thereto. According to this paper sheet handling machine, sincethe bottom face constituting the storage space is inclined, the batch ofthe paper sheets can be stacked in the stacking unit in the situationthat the paper sheets are inclined on the bottom face. Thus, each edgeof the paper sheets can be well arranged along one side face to whichthe stacking unit is attached.

In the paper sheet handling machine of the present invention, it ispreferred that the storage space provided in the stacking unit iscomposed of the space surrounded by the bottom face and one or more sidefaces of the stacking unit, and a cut-out portion is formed in thebottom face, at one edge thereof on the side of the opening of thestacking unit. According to this paper sheet handling machine, the batchof the paper sheets pushed toward the opening by the pushing unit can bereadily taken out by the operator, while the fingers or the like of theoperator are inserted in the cut-out portion provided at the edge formedin the bottom face and provided on the side of the opening of thestacking unit.

In the paper sheet handling machine of the present invention, it ispreferred that the pushing unit includes a pushing member configured tocontact with the paper sheets stored in the storage space of thestacking unit and then push the paper sheets toward the opening, and apushing member driving mechanism configured to drive the pushing membertoward the opening.

In this case, it is further preferred that the pushing member can bereciprocated between a retracted position in which the pushing member isevacuated from the paper sheets while the paper sheets are stacked inthe storage space and a pushing position in which the pushing memberapproaches the opening from the retracted position, and the pushingmember waits in the retracted position during a period of time in whichthe paper sheets are stacked in the stacking unit, while pushing thepaper sheets stored in the storage space toward the opening, when thepushing member is moved from the retracted position to the pushingposition. According to this paper sheet handling machine, due to themovement of the pushing member from the retracted position to thepushing position, the paper sheets stored in the storage space of thestacking unit can be pushed toward the opening.

In the paper sheet handling machine of the present invention, it ispreferred that when in the retracted position, the pushing memberconstitutes a rear side face of the storage space of the stacking unit,and the pushing member is comb-shaped to be meshed with the other sideface and bottom face constituting together the storage space of thestacking unit. According to this paper sheet handling machine, it ispossible to securely prevent the paper sheets stored in the storagespace from getting into a gap between the side face or bottom faceconstituting the storage space, and the pushing member, thus avoidingoccurrence of jam of such paper sheets and other like trouble in thestacking unit.

In the paper sheet handling machine of the present invention, it ispreferred that the pushing member is configured so that the paper sheetscan be stacked on a top face of the pushing member, and the paper sheetsstacked on the pushing-member can be moved together with the pushingmember, and the pushing member is comb-shaped to be meshed with the sideface constituting the storage space of the stacking unit. According tothis paper sheet handling machine, when the paper sheets are stacked onthe top face of the pushing member, these paper sheets can be movedtoward the opening. In addition, it is possible to securely prevent thepaper sheets stored in the storage space from getting into a gap betweenthe side face constituting the storage space and the pushing member,thus avoiding occurrence of jam of such paper sheets and other liketrouble in the stacking unit.

In the paper sheet handling machine of the present invention, it ispreferred that the pushing unit includes a plurality of third detectors,each configured to detect the position of the pushing member, and thepushing member driving mechanism can stop the pushing member in aplurality of positions, based on each detection information obtainedfrom the third detectors. In this case, the pushing member can bestopped in the plurality of positions. Thus, the paper sheets stacked onthe pushing member can also be stopped in the plurality of positions.Therefore, the paper sheets can be shifted in position, for each batchof the predetermined number of paper sheets, thus enabling the operatorto take out the paper sheets, for each batch of the predetermined numberof paper sheets, from the stacking unit.

In the paper sheet handling machine of the present invention, it ispreferred that the opening of the stacking unit is provided, such thatthe direction in which the paper sheets are taken out from the openingcan be substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the papersheets are fed to the stacking unit from the transport unit.

In this case, the direction in which the paper sheets are fed to thestacking unit from the transport unit may correspond to the short-edgedirection of each paper sheet.

Otherwise, the direction in which the paper sheets are fed to thestacking unit from the transport unit may correspond to the long-edgedirection of each paper sheet.

In the paper sheet handling machine of the present invention, it ispreferred that the stacking unit further includes a paper sheetarranging member configured to contact with each edge of the papersheets pushed toward the opening by the pushing member, therebyarranging the edges of the respective paper sheets. According to thispaper sheet handling machine, the paper sheet arranging member canreadily arrange the edge of each paper sheet pushed toward the openingof the stacking unit by the pushing unit.

In the above paper sheet handling machine, it is further preferred thatthe paper sheet arranging member can be moved in the direction in whichthe paper sheets are taken out from the stacking unit. According to thispaper sheet handling machine, the operator can readily take out eachbatch of the paper sheets forward from the stacking unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing external appearance of the banknotehandling machine (or paper sheet handling machine) related to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the banknote handling machine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross section of the banknote handling machine, the crosssection being taken along a line A-A depicted in FIG. 2 and illustratingthe pushing member of the pushing unit located in the retractedposition.

FIG. 4 is another cross section of the paper sheet handling machine, thecross section being also taken along the line A-A depicted in FIG. 2 andillustrating the pushing member of the pushing unit located in thepushing position.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing internal construction of the banknotehandling machine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the construction of one stackingunit of the banknote handling machine shown in FIG. 1, in which thepushing member of the pushing unit is in the retracted position (i.e.,this drawing is related to FIG. 3).

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the construction of one stackingunit of the banknote handling machine shown in FIG. 1, in which thepushing member of the pushing unit is in the pushing position (i.e.,this drawing is related to FIG. 4).

FIG. 8 is a top view showing the construction of one pushing unit whenthe pushing member of the pushing unit is in the retracted position asshown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a top view showing the construction of one pushing unit whenthe pushing member of the pushing unit is in the pushing position asshown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an illustration showing a series of operations when thebanknotes are stored in one stacking unit.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of the banknote handling machine related toone variation of the present invention, the illustration showing anotherseries of operations when the banknotes are stored in one stacking unit.

FIG. 12 is an illustration showing the construction of one stacking unitof the banknote handling machine related to another variation of thepresent invention.

FIG. 13 is an illustration showing the construction of the banknotehandling machine related to still another variation provided with a dustcollector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, one example, inwhich the paper sheet handling machine of this invention is used as thebanknote handling machine adapted for handling the banknotes, isdescribed. However, it should be appreciated that paper sheets (e.g.,checks) other than the banknotes can also be applied to the objecthandled by the paper sheet handling machine of this invention.

First of all, the general construction of the banknote handling machineof this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through5, especially FIGS. 1 and 5.

The perspective view of FIG. 1 shows the external appearance of thebanknote handling machine 1 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, thebanknote handling machine 1 comprises a casing 92 having a substantiallyrectangular parallelepiped shape, a hopper 11, a first stacking unit (orfirst stacker) 30, a second stacking unit (or second stacker) 40 and areject unit 50.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the internal construction of the banknotehandling machine 1 shown in FIG. 1, and particularly illustrates atransport system and a sensor system of the banknote handling machine 1.As shown in FIG. 5, a transport unit 20 is provided in the casing 92 ofthe banknote handling machine 1. In this case, the transport unit 20 canserve to successively transport the banknotes, one by one, in the casing92. In addition, a control unit 90 is provided in the banknote handlingmachine 1, wherein this control unit 90 can serve to control thetransport unit 20, pushing member driving mechanism 45 that will bedescribed later, diverters 60, 62 and the like.

Now, each component of the banknote handling machine 1 as constructedabove will be described in more detail.

The hopper 11 is configured, such that a plurality of banknotes can beplaced thereon, in the stacked condition, by the operator. In this case,the banknotes stored in the hopper 11 can be fed into the casing 92 ofthe banknote handling machine 1, one by one, by a banknote feeding unit10.

The banknote feeding unit 10 includes a feed roller 12 adapted forfeeding out each banknote, a gate roller (or reverse-rotation roller) 14provided to be opposed to the feed roller 12 and configured to form agate part between the feed roller 12 and this gate roller 14, and kickerrollers 16, 18, each adapted for kicking out the banknotes stored in thehopper 11 toward the feed roller 12. While FIG. 5 shows one example, inwhich the kicker rollers 16, 18 are arranged in two in a longitudinaldirection, the arrangement of the kicker roller is not limited to thisexample. For instance, only one kicker roller (e.g., only the kickerroller 16) may be provided in the banknote handling machine 1. In eithercase, the banknotes taken in the casing 92 by the banknote feeding unit10 can be transported by the transport unit 20.

The transport unit 20 includes an upper transport mechanism 22 extendingin a substantially horizontal direction, a lower transport mechanism 24extending in the substantially horizontal direction below the uppertransport mechanism 22, and an intermediate transport mechanism 26provided between the upper transport mechanism 22 and the lowertransport mechanism 24. As shown in FIG. 5, the transport unit 20composed of the respective transport mechanisms 22, 24, 26 has asubstantially U-like shape on the whole. In this case, the banknotestaken in the casing 92 by the banknote feeding unit 10 can betransported, one by one, by the upper transport mechanism 22,intermediate transport mechanism 26 and lower transport mechanism 24, inthis order. The upper transport mechanism 22, intermediate transportmechanism 26 and lower transport mechanism 24 are respectively composedof a combination of belt transport mechanisms. Specifically, each belttransport mechanism is composed of a pair of or three or more rollersand a belt, e.g., a rubber belt, provided over the rollers.

As shown in FIG. 5, a recognition unit 28 is provided along the uppertransport mechanism 22 of the transport unit 20. The recognition unit 28can serve to detect the fitness, authenticity, denomination,orientation, face/back, transported condition and the like of eachbanknote transported by the upper transport mechanism 22. As usedherein, the term “detect the transported condition” means to detect“whether or not the banknotes are transported obliquely,” “whether ornot the banknotes are transported in an overlapped condition,” “whetheror not the banknotes are transported in a chained condition” or thelike. Each recognition result of the recognition unit 28 can betransmitted to the control unit 90.

As shown in FIG. 5, two stacking units 30, 40 are further arranged, inparallel with each other, below the lower transport mechanism 24 of thetransport unit 20. Each of the stacking units 30, 40 is configured tostore therein, in the stacked condition, the banknotes that have beentaken in the casing 92 and then judged to be normal ones by therecognition unit 28. As shown in FIG. 1, the banknotes stacked in eachstacking unit 30, 40 can be optionally taken out by the operator. It isnoted that the construction of each stacking unit 30, 40 will bedetailed later.

In this embodiment, rotary stacking wheels 32, 42 are provided to thefirst and second stacking units 30, 40, respectively. Each stackingwheel 32, 42 has a function for first receiving each banknote releasedfrom each diversion line 33, 43 toward each stacking unit 30, 40, in aspace provided between each adjacent pair of vanes 32 a or 42 a of thewheel 32, 42, then rotating to allow the banknote to be stored in eachstacking unit 30, 40, with the orientation and/or position of thebanknote appropriately arranged. Each stacking wheel 32, 42 is attachedto a side wall 30 a, 40 a of each stacking unit 30, 40 that will bedescribed later, and configured to be rotated in an counterclockwisedirection in FIGS. 2 and 5, about a shaft extending in a direction inwhich the banknotes are taken out from the stacking unit 30 or 40(direction orthogonal to the sheet of FIG. 2 or 5).

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5, two diverters 60, 62 are provided, inseries, along the lower transport mechanism 24. Each diverter 60, 62has, for example, a nail-like shape, and serves to divert a portion ofthe banknotes transported by the lower transport mechanism 24, from thelower transport mechanism 24 toward each diversion line 33, 43. Thediversion lines 33, 43 are connected with the first and second stackingunits 30, 40, respectively. Thus, the banknotes diverted from the lowertransport mechanism 24 by the diverters 60, 62 can be fed into the firstand second stacking units 30, 40, via the diversion lines 33, 43,respectively.

At a downstream end of the lower transport mechanism 24, a releaseroller 54 for feeding out each banknote and an opposite roller 56positioned to be opposed to the release roller 54 are provided. Withthis configuration, each banknote fed to the downstream end of the lowertransport mechanism 24 can be released from a gap between the releaseroller 54 and the opposite roller 56. Thereafter, each banknote releasedby the two rollers 54, 56 can be stacked, one on another, in the rejectunit 50, by a rotary rubber vane wheel 55 provided in the vicinity ofthe release roller 54 and adapted for beating the banknote. Thisconfiguration can facilitate the stacking operation for the rejectedbanknotes in the reject unit 50, because a rear edge of each banknotereleased from the gap between the release roller 54 and the oppositeroller 56 can be properly beaten by the rotary rubber vane wheel 55configured for beating the banknote.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a stopper 52 is provided to thereject unit 50. This stopper 52 can serve to prevent each banknote,which has been released from the gap between the release roller 54 andthe opposite roller 56, from getting out from the reject unit 50 to theoutside of the casing 92. This stopper 52 can be rotated by hand in aclockwise direction in FIG. 5. Therefore, by rotating the stopper 52 byhand in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5, the operator can optionallytake out the banknotes stored in the reject unit 50.

Next, the sensor system of the banknote handling machine 1 will bedescribed. As shown in FIG. 5, a sensor 70 for detecting whether or notthe banknotes are placed on the hopper 11 is provided to the banknotefeeding unit 10. Further, another sensor 71 is provided to an inlet ofthe upper transport mechanism 22 in the transport unit 20. This sensor71 can serve to detect that the respective banknotes are securely takenin the casing 92. Still another sensor 72 is composed of a transparentsensor constituting a part of the recognition unit 28. This sensor 72can serve to detect the denomination, authenticity or the like of eachbanknote, based on the light transmittance.

Sensors 73, 74, 75 are arranged in series along the lower transportmechanism 24 in the transport unit 20, respectively, while the diverters60, 62 are located between the sensors 73, 74 and between the sensors74, 75, respectively. The sensor 73 is located on the upstream siderelative to the diverter 60 and serves to detect all of the banknotestransported by the lower transport mechanism 24. Meanwhile, the sensor74 is located on the downstream side relative to the diverter 60 andserves to detect only the banknotes that are not diverted by thediverter 60, from among the banknotes transported by the lower transportmechanism 24. The sensor 75 is located on the downstream side relativeto the diverter 62, and serves to detect only the banknotes that are notdiverted by the diverter 62, from among the banknotes transported by thelower transport mechanism 24.

Furthermore, sensors 76, 77 are provided to the diversion lines 33, 43,respectively. These sensors 76, 77 can serve to detect the banknotesrespectively diverted from the lower transport mechanism 24 and fed tothe diversion lines 33, 43, respectively.

Additionally, sensors 78, 79 are provided to middle parts of the firstand second stacking units 30, 40, respectively. These sensors 78, 79 canserve to detect that the banknotes are stacked in each stacking unit 30,40, in an abnormal state, such as a standing state or the like,respectively. Furthermore, sensors 80, 81 are provided to lower parts ofthe first and second stacking units 30, 40, respectively. These sensors80, 81 can serve to detect whether or not the banknotes are stored inthe stacking units 30, 40, respectively. In addition, a sensor 82 isprovided to the reject unit 50. This sensor 82 can serve to detectwhether or not the banknotes are stored in the reject unit 50.

Each of the above sensors 70 to 82 is connected with the control unit90, so that detection results of these sensors 70 to can be directlytransmitted to the control unit 90, respectively.

The control unit 90 can serve to control the banknote feeding unit 10,respective transport mechanisms 22, 24, 26 of the transport unit 20,pushing member driving mechanism 45 that will be described later,respective diverters 60, 62 and the like, based on the detection resultabout each banknote transmitted from the respective sensors 70 to 82 aswell as on each recognition result about the banknote obtained from therecognition unit 28. More specifically, the control unit 90 can controleach diverter 60, 62 to divert the banknotes judged to be the normalones from the lower transport mechanism 24 and then feed them to eitherone of the stacking units 30, 40, based on each recognition result ofthe banknotes transmitted from the recognition unit 28. It is noted thatthe operation by this control unit 90 will be detailed later.

Now, referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, the construction of each stackingunit 30, 40 will be described in more detail. In addition, the pushingunit provided to each stacking unit 30, 40 will be detailed. Especially,the pushing unit provided to the second stacking unit 40 will bedetailed, by way of example, with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 through10, and other related drawings.

In each of the stacking unit 30, 40, a storage space 30 p or 40 p forstoring therein the banknotes in the stacked condition is provided.Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, each front portion of the casing92 corresponding to the stacking units 30, 40 is opened forward. Thus,the operator can optionally take out the banknotes stored in therespective storage spaces 30 p, 40 p through such openings of the casing92. As shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, each storage space 30 p, 40 p iscomposed of a space surrounded by one side wall 30 a or 40 a to whichthe stacking wheel 32 or 42 is attached, a bottom plate 30 b or 40 b, aceiling 30 e or 40 e, the other side wall 30 d or 40 d opposite to theside wall 30 a or 40 a and a rear side wall 30 c or 40 c opposite toeach opening.

In this embodiment, the direction in which the opening of each stackingunit 30, 40 is opened (i.e., the direction in which the banknotes aretaken out through the opening) is orthogonal to the sheet of FIG. 5.Namely, the opening direction of each stacking unit 30, 40 is orthogonalto the direction in which the banknotes are fed from the lower transportmechanism 24 to the stacking unit 30 or 40 via each diversion line 33,43 (i.e., along the sheet of FIG. 5). In this case, the direction, inwhich the banknotes are fed from the lower transport mechanism 24 towardeach stacking unit 30, 40, corresponds to the short-edge direction ofeach banknote. Therefore, the operator can take out the banknotes fromeach stacking unit 30, 40 in the long-edge direction of each banknote.Alternatively, the direction, in which the banknotes are fed from thelower transport mechanism 24 toward each stacking unit 30, 40, maycorrespond to the long-edge direction of each banknote. Of course, inthis case, the operator can take out the banknotes from each stackingunit 30, 40 in the short-edge direction of each banknote.

As shown in FIG. 2 and other related drawings, each bottom plate 30 b,40 b is downwardly inclined toward each side wall 30 a, 40 a to whichthe stacking wheel 32 or 42 is provided. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2and other related drawings, each stacking unit 30, 40 can store thereinthe banknotes in an inclined state. With this configuration of eachbottom plate 30 b, 40 b downwardly inclined toward each side wall 30 a,40 a, each batch of the banknotes can be stacked in each stacking unit30, 40, while also being downwardly inclined toward the side wall 30 aor 40 a. Thus, the batch of the banknotes can be taken out from eachstacking unit 30, 40, with each edge of the banknotes well arrangedalong each side wall 30 a, 40 a of the stacking unit.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a cut-out portion (designated byreference numeral 40 g in FIGS. 6 and 7) is provided to each bottomplate 30 b, 40 b, at an edge thereof on the opening side (or left lowerside in FIGS. 6 and 7) of each stacking unit 30, 40. With thisconfiguration, the batch of the banknotes stacked on the bottom plate 40b and then pushed toward the opening by each pushing member 44 that willbe described below can be readily taken out by the operator, while thefingers or the like of the operator are inserted in the cut-out portion40 g provided at the edge on the opening side of the bottom plate 40 b.

Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a pushing unit configured forpushing the banknotes stored in each storage space 30 p, 40 p of thestacking unit 30 or 40 toward the opening is provided to the stackingunit 30 or 40. Now, in regard to the pushing units respectively providedto the stacking units 30, 40, the pushing unit provided to the secondstacking unit 40 will be described by way of example. The pushing unitprovided to the second stacking unit 40 is composed of the pushingmember 44 adapted for contacting with the banknotes stored in thestorage space 40 p of the second stacking unit 40 and then pushing thebanknotes toward the opening (rightward in FIGS. 3 and 4), and thepushing member driving mechanism 45 adapted for driving the pushingmember 44 toward the opening.

Now, referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 through 10, the pushing member 44 andpushing member driving mechanism 45 constituting together the pushingunit will be described in more detail.

When driven by the pushing member driving mechanism 45, the pushingmember 44 can be reciprocated, forward and rearward (or in the directionorthogonal to the sheet of FIG. 2 or leftward and rightward in FIGS. 3and 4), in the stacking unit 40. More specifically, the pushing member44 can be reciprocated between a retracted position (see FIG. 3) inwhich the pushing member 44 is evacuated from the banknotes while thebanknotes are stacked in the storage space 40 p of the stacking unit 40and a pushing position (see FIG. 4) located nearer to the opening of thestacking unit 40 relative to the retracted position. Namely, as shown inFIG. 3, the pushing member 44 waits in the retracted position, while thebanknotes are stacked in the stacking unit 40. Meanwhile, once thebanknotes are stored in the storage space 40 p of the stacking unit 40,the pushing member 44 is moved from the retracted position to thepushing position, as shown in FIG. 4, while pushing the banknotes storedin the storage space 40 p toward the opening. Thereafter, the pushingmember 44 is returned from the pushing position (see FIG. 4) to theretracted position (see FIG. 3). This reciprocation of the pushingmember 44 is performed by the aforementioned pushing member drivingmechanism 45.

As shown in FIGS. 6 through 10, the pushing member 44 is composed of afront-stage portion 44 a bent by approximately 120° and formed of aplate-like member, and a rear-stage portion 44 b fixedly attached to thefront-stage portion 44 a. The rear-stage portion 44 b has a pushing face44 c provided for contacting with the banknotes stored in the storagespace 40 p and pushing the banknotes toward the opening. When in theretracted position, as shown in FIG. 6, the front-stage portion 44 aconstitutes a part of a bottom face and a side face of the storage space40 p. However, when moved to the pushing position, as shown in FIG. 7,the front-stage portion 44 a will be hidden under each back side of thebottom plate 40 b and side wall 40 d. More specifically, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, the front-stage portion 44 a has a comb-like shape thatcan be meshed with the back face of the bottom plate 40 b. Thisconfiguration can securely prevent the banknotes stored in the storagespace 40 p from getting into a gap between the bottom plate 40 bconstituting the storage space 40 p and the front-stage portion 44 a,thus avoiding occurrence of jam of such banknotes and other like troublein the second stacking unit 40.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the rear-stage portion 44 b of the pushingmember 44 is fixed to a rear part of the front-stage portion 44 a. Whenin the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 6, the pushing face 44 c ofthe rear-stage portion 44 b constitutes a part of a rear face of thestorage space 40 p. Meanwhile, when moved to the pushing position, asshown in FIG. 7, the rear-stage portion 44 b will be advanced into thestorage space 40 p. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, therear-stage portion 44 b is also comb-shaped to be meshed with the rearside wall 40 c. This configuration can securely prevent the banknotesstored in the storage space 40 p from getting into a gap between therear side wall 40 c constituting the storage space 40 p and therear-stage portion 44 b, thus positively avoiding occurrence of the jamof such banknotes and other like trouble in the second stacking unit 40.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the pushing member driving mechanism 45 iscomposed of, for example, a motor, which can rotate a substantiallyrectangular first cam 46 about an axis 46 a. A projection 46 b isprovided to the first cam 46. Further, a substantially rod-like secondcam 47 is provided to connect the first cam 46 with the front-stageportion 44 a of the pushing member 44. This second cam 47 can be rotatedabout an axis 47 a located at a central portion of the cam 47. One end47 c of the second cam 47 is rotatably attached to a back face of thefront-stage portion 44 a, while the other end of the second cam 47 isprovided with an elongated through-hole 47 b extending along the secondcam 47. In this through-hole 47 b, the aforementioned projection 46 b ofthe first cam 46 is fitted. Thus, when the first cam 46 is rotated aboutthe axis 46 a, the projection 46 b of the first cam 46 will bereciprocated in the elongated through-hole 47 b, thereby swaying thesecond cam 47 about the axis 47 a. Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, aguide rail 48 configured for guiding the front-stage portion 44 a andrear-stage portion 44 b of the pushing member 44 in a fixed direction(i.e., leftward and rightward in FIGS. 8 and 9) is provided to thesecond stacking unit 40.

With the provision of the aforementioned cams 46, 47 between the pushingmember driving mechanism 45 and the pushing member 44, when the pushingmember driving mechanism 45 drives the first cam 46 to be rotated aboutthe axis 46 a in the clockwise direction in FIG. 8, the second cam 47can be swayed about the axis 47 a, between a position shown in FIG. 8and a position shown in FIG. 9. As a result, the pushing member 44attached to the one end 47 c of the second cam 47 can be reciprocated,between the position as depicted in FIGS. 6 and 8 (i.e., the retractedposition) and the position as depicted in FIGS. 7 and 9 (i.e., thepushing position), along the guide rail 48.

Even in the case the operation of the pushing member 44 is stoppedbecause the banknotes are jammed between the bottom plate 40 b and/orside wall 40 d constituting the storage space 40 p and the pushingmember 44, during a period of time, in which the pushing member 44 ismoved from the retracted position to the pushing position, and the like,the operator can take out such jammed banknotes by returning, by hand,the pushing member 44 from the pushing position to the retractedposition.

Now, the operation of the banknote handling machine 1 as constructedabove will be discussed.

First, the plurality of banknotes are placed on the hopper 11 in thestacked condition by the operator. Then, the banknotes stored in thehopper 11 are fed into the casing 92 of the banknote handling machine 1,one by one, by the banknote feeding unit 10. Thereafter, the banknotestaken in the casing 92 are transported by the transport unit 20.Specifically, the banknotes respectively taken in the casing 92 aretransported, by the upper transport mechanism 22, intermediate transportmechanism 26 and lower transport mechanism 24, in this order.

While the banknotes are transported by the transport unit 22, eachbanknote is detected by the recognition unit 28, regarding the fitness,authenticity, denomination, orientation, face/back, transportedcondition and the like thereof. In this case, the banknotes that cannotbe recognized by the recognition unit 28 (e.g., the damaged unfitbanknotes or the like) and/or banknotes that have been excluded from thebanknotes to be stored in each stacking unit 30, 40, because of theirabnormal transported condition (e.g., the obliquely transportedcondition or the like), even after they have been sufficientlyrecognized, are judged to be the “rejected banknotes” to be fed to thereject unit 50, respectively. Meanwhile, the banknotes that havesatisfied predetermined conditions and thus been judged to be the normalbanknotes by the recognition unit 28 are recognized as the banknotes tobe stored in either one of the stacking units 30, 40, respectively.

Thereafter, the banknotes are fed to the lower transport mechanism 24from the upper transport mechanism 22 via the intermediate transportmechanism 26. From among the banknotes transported by the lowertransport mechanism 24, the normal banknotes will be diverted from thelower transport mechanism 24 and fed to each of the stacking units 30,40, by actuation of the diverters 60, 62, respectively. Meanwhile, ifsome of the banknotes transported by the upper transport mechanism 22are judged to be the “rejected banknotes” by the recognition unit 28,such rejected banknotes are directly fed to the reject unit 50.

In this way, the banknotes fed to each stacking unit 30, 40 from thelower transport mechanism 24 will be stored in the corresponding storagespace 30 p or 40 p, in the stacked condition.

Then, the batch of the banknotes stored in each storage space 30 p, 40 pof the stacking units 30, 40 is pushed toward the opening of eachstacking unit 30, 40 by the pushing member 44. More specifically, thecontrol unit 90 controls the pushing member driving mechanism 45 toreciprocate the pushing member 44 between the retracted position asshown in FIG. 3 and the pushing position as shown in FIG. 4, thusperforming the pushing operation for the batch of the banknotes by usingthe pushing member 44.

As the method for controlling the pushing member driving mechanism 45 byusing the control unit 90, various methods can be mentioned. Now, suchcontrol methods will be described.

In a first control method, for example, in the case the sensor 77detects that a predetermined number of banknotes are fed to the secondstacking unit 40, the control unit 90 controls the pushing memberdriving mechanism 45 to drive the pushing member 44 of the secondstacking unit 40, such that the banknotes stored in the storage space 40p can be pushed toward the opening of the stacking unit 40. According tothis first control method, the banknotes stored in the storage space 40p can be pushed toward the opening, for each batch of the predeterminednumber of banknotes. Therefore, the operator can take out the banknotesfrom the second storage unit 40, for each batch of the predeterminednumber of banknotes. It is noted that the control operation for thepushing member can also be performed, in the same manner, in accordancewith this first control method, in the case such a predetermined numberof banknotes are not fed to the second stacking unit 40, but fed to thefirst stacking unit 30 and then the sensor 76 detects the predeterminednumber of banknotes fed in the first stacking unit 30.

In this case, if the first stacking unit 30 and second stacking unit 40are respectively configured to store therein the banknotes of the samedenomination and when the number of the banknotes stored in either oneof the first or second stacking unit 30 or 40 reaches the maximumstorage number thereof before all of the predetermined number ofbanknotes are fed to this first or second stacking unit 30 or 40, theremaining banknotes may be continuously fed to the other stacking unitin which the number of banknotes stored therein has not yet reached themaximum storage number. Further, in this case, when the sensors 76, 77respectively detect that the predetermined number of banknotes have beenfed into the first and second stacking units 30, 40, while beingappropriately divided thereto, the pushing members of the stacking units30, 40 will be controlled to push such banknotes stored in the storagespaces 30 p, 40 p toward the openings thereof, respectively.

In a second control method, for example, in the case the number ofbanknotes stored in the second stacking unit 40 reaches thepredetermined maximum storage number assigned to this second stackingunit 40, the control unit 90 controls the pushing member drivingmechanism 45 to drive the pushing member 44 of the second stacking unit40, such that the banknotes stored in the storage space 40 p can bepushed toward the opening of the stacking unit 40. According to thissecond control method, when the banknotes can no longer be stored in thesecond stacking unit 40, the banknotes stored in the storage space 40 pare pushed toward the opening of the second stacking unit 40. Thus, theoperator can take out the batch of banknotes corresponding to themaximum storage number assigned to the second storage unit 40. Again, itis noted that the control operation for the pushing member can also beperformed, in the same manner, in accordance with this second controlmethod, in the case the maximum storage number of banknotes are not fedto the second stacking unit 40, but fed to the first stacking unit 30.

In a third control method, for example, in the case the sensor 77detects that the predetermined number of banknotes are fed to the secondstacking unit 40, the control unit 90 interrupts the transportation ofthe banknotes due to the transport unit 20. Then, the control unit 90controls the pushing member driving mechanism 45 to drive the pushingmember 44 of the second stacking unit 40, such that the banknotes storedin the storage space 40 p can be pushed toward the opening of thestacking unit 40. Thereafter, when the sensor 81 detects that thebanknotes once pushed toward the opening by the pushing member 44 in thesecond stacking unit 40 have been taken out from the stacking unit 40,the control unit 90 will restart the transportation of the banknotes byusing the transport unit 20. With this third control method, theoperator can take out the banknotes from the second stacking unit 40,for each batch of the predetermined number of banknotes. Besides, thestorage of the banknotes into each stacking unit 30, 40 can beautomatically restarted, after the operator takes out the batch ofbanknotes from the second stacking unit 40. Again, it is noted that thecontrol operation for the pushing member can also be performed, in thesame manner, in accordance with this third control method, in the casethe predetermined number of banknotes are not fed to the second stackingunit 40, but fed to the first stacking unit 30. Further, in this case,it is noted that the transportation of the banknotes by the transportunit 20 is interrupted until the banknotes are taken out from the firststacking unit 30.

Further, in a fourth control method, for example, in the case the sensor77 detects that the predetermined number of banknotes are fed to thesecond stacking unit 40 (see FIG. 10( a)), the control unit 90interrupts the transportation of the banknotes by the transport unit 20.Then, the control unit 90 controls the pushing member driving mechanism45 to drive the pushing member 44 of the second stacking unit 40, suchthat the banknotes stored in the storage space 40 p can be pushed towardthe opening of the stacking unit 40 (see FIG. 10( b)). Once thebanknotes are pushed toward the opening by the pushing member 44 in thesecond stacking unit 40, the control unit 90 will restart thetransportation of the banknotes by using the transport unit 20. As aresult, the banknotes will be newly fed over the top face of thebanknotes already pushed toward the opening in the second stacking unit40 (see FIG. 10( c)). With this fourth method, the banknotes can beshifted in position, in the second stacking unit 40, for each batch ofthe predetermined number of banknotes, as shown in FIG. 10( c).Therefore, the operator can take out the banknotes from the secondstacking unit 40, for each batch of the predetermined number ofbanknotes. Again, it is noted that the control operation for the pushingmember can also be performed, in the same manner, in accordance withthis fourth control method, in the case the predetermined number ofbanknotes are not fed to the second stacking unit 40, but fed to thefirst stacking unit 30. In addition, it is noted that the banknotes canalso be shifted in position, in the first stacking unit 30, for eachbatch of the predetermined number of banknotes.

In a fifth control method, when the transportation of the banknotes tothe respective stacking units 30, 40 by the transport unit 20 is ended,the control unit 90 controls the respective pushing members of the firstand second stacking units 30, 40, such that the banknotes stored in therespective storage spaces 30 p, 40 p can be pushed toward the openingsof the stacking units 30, 40, respectively. According to this fifthcontrol method, the operator can take out the batch of banknotes fromeach stacking unit 30, 40, after the completion of the transportation ofthe banknotes to each stacking unit 30, 40.

By employing any one of the above first to fifth control methods, orotherwise by utilizing any other suitable control method, the banknotesstored in each storage space 30 p, 40 p of the stacking units 30, 40 canbe pushed toward the opening of each stacking unit 30, 40 with desiredtiming.

As described above, according to the banknote handling machine 1 of thisembodiment, the banknotes stored in the relatively rearward portion ofeach storage space (e.g., the storage space 40 p) of the stacking units(e.g., the second stacking unit 40) can be pushed toward the opening ofthe stacking unit 40 (or pushed forward when seen on the operator side)by the pushing member 44. Therefore, the operator can readily take outthe banknotes stored in the storage space 40 p of the second stackingunit 40. Furthermore, the banknotes stored in the second stacking unit40 in the abnormal stacked condition, more specifically, the banknotesstored in the second stacking unit 40 in the standing state, can also bepushed toward the opening of the stacking unit 40. Thus, the banknotehandling machine 1 of this embodiment can securely prevent the banknotesstored in the abnormal stacked condition from being left in the stackingunit (e.g., the second stacking unit 40), without being taken out by theoperator.

As described above, the plurality of stacking units are provided in thebanknote handling machine 1, and the pushing members are provided,corresponding to the number of the stacking units (i.e., the stackingunits 30, 40 in the above embodiment). Therefore, the banknotes can bestored in the respective stacking units 30, 40, while being sorted foreach kind thereof, e.g., for each denomination thereof.

It should be noted that the banknote handling machine 1 of thisinvention is not limited to the aspects as described above, but variousalterations and modifications can be made thereto without departing fromthe scope of this invention.

For instance, the number of the stacking units provided to the banknotehandling machine 1 is not limited to two, but may be three or more. Inthis case, the pushing units respectively composed of the pushingmembers and pushing member driving mechanisms are provided,corresponding to the number of the stacking units.

In addition, each stacking unit is not limited to one configured forstoring therein the banknotes in the stacked condition. For instance,each stacking unit may be provided for storing therein the banknotes inthe standing state.

Further, the control method provided by the control unit 90 forcontrolling the pushing member driving mechanism 45 is not limited tothose described above. For instance, the control unit 90 may control thepushing members of the respective stacking units 30, 40 to push thebanknotes, in the case the unit 90 confirms the completion of therecognition for the banknotes performed by the recognition unit 28 aswell as the completion of the transportation of the banknotes into thestacking units 30, 40 performed by the transport unit 20, whilecontrolling the pushing members of the respective stacking units 30, 40not to push the banknotes, in the case the unit 90 does not confirm thecompletion of the recognition for the banknotes and/or completion of thetransportation of the banknotes.

In one variation, as shown in FIG. 11, the pushing member 49 can bemoved, with the banknotes stacked on a top face thereof. Further, thebanknotes stacked on the pushing member 49 can be moved, together withthe pushing member 49. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, sensors 83,84, 85, each adapted for detecting the position of the pushing member49, are provided to the pushing unit. With this configuration, thepushing member driving mechanism 45 can stop the pushing member 49 in aplurality of positions, based on each detection information on thepushing member 49 obtained from the respective sensors 83, 84, 85.Again, the pushing member 49 is comb-shaped to be meshed with each sidewall 40 a, 40 d constituting the storage space 40 p in the stacking unit40.

Now, this variation will be further described with reference to FIG. 11.First, as shown in FIG. 11( a), the banknotes are stacked on the topface of the pushing member 49, while a rear end (i.e., a left end inFIG. 11) of the pushing member 49 is detected by the first sensor 83.Next, the pushing member 49 is moved forward (or rightward in FIG. 11)(see FIG. 11( b)), and thereafter the banknotes are newly stacked on thepushing member 49, while the rear end of the pushing member 49 isdetected by the second sensor 84 (see FIG. 11( c)). Then, the pushingmember 49 is further moved forward (see FIG. 11( d)), and thereafter thebanknotes are further stacked on the pushing member 49, while the rearend of the pushing member 49 is detected by the third sensor 85 (seeFIG. 11( e)). In this way, as shown in FIG. 11( e), the banknotes can beshifted in position, for each batch of the predetermined number ofbanknotes, on the pushing member 49.

As described above, according to the aforementioned variation as shownin FIG. 11, the pushing member 49 can be stopped in the plurality ofpositions. Thus, the banknotes stacked on the pushing member 49 can alsobe stopped in the plurality of positions. Therefore, the banknotes canbe shifted in position, for each batch of the predetermined number ofbanknotes, thus enabling the operator to take out the banknotes, foreach batch of the predetermined number of banknotes, from the stackingunit.

In another variation, as shown in FIGS. 12( a), 12(b), each stackingunit (e.g., the second stacking unit 40) may further include a banknotearranging member 40 f adapted for contacting with and arranging one edgeof each banknote pushed toward the opening of the stacking unit 40 (orrightward in FIG. 12) by the pushing member 44. This banknote arrangingmember 40 f is provided to usually extend upward, at one end of thebottom plate 40 b of the stacking unit 40. With this configuration, thebanknote arranging member 40 f can readily arrange the edge of eachbanknote pushed toward the opening of the stacking unit 40 by thepushing member 44.

Further, as depicted by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 12( b), thebanknote arranging member 40 f may be inclined forward and downward (orrightward and downward as shown in FIG. 12) in a direction in which thebanknotes are taken out from the stacking unit 40. With suchconfiguration for allowing the banknote arranging member 40 f to beinclined from the position depicted by a solid line to the positiondepicted by the two-dot chain line as shown in FIG. 12( b), the operatorcan readily take out each batch of the banknotes forward from thestacking unit 40.

In still another variation, as shown in FIG. 13, a dust collector may beprovided to each stacking unit 30, 40 of the banknote handling machine1.

More specifically, the dust collector is composed of a duct 94communicated with each storage space 30 p, 40 p via each opening 30 h,40 h formed in the rear side wall 30 c or 40 c of the stacking unit 30or 40, a fan 96 provided on the downstream side of the duct 94, and afilter 98 connected with the fan 96. Thus, when the fan 96 is actuated,dust or the like matter present in each storage space 30 p, 40 p of eachstacking unit 30, 40 can be drawn by the duct 94 via each opening 30 h,40 h provided in each rear side wall 30 c, 40 c. Then, the dust drawninto the duct 94 is fed to the filter 98 due to the actuation of the fan96. As a result, such dust or the like can be collected in the filter98, while the air, from which the dust or the like is removed, can bereleased to the outside of the casing 92 from the fan 96.

This configuration of the banknote handling machine 1 as shown in FIG.13 can prevent the dust or the like matter from being accumulated on andaround the sensors 78, 79, 80, 81 and the like respectively provided toeach stacking unit 30, 40, thereby successfully avoiding occurrence oferrors due to failures and/or malfunctions of such sensors. Further,this configuration can positively prevent the operator frominadvertently inhaling the dust or the like accumulated in each stackingunit 30, 40. In addition, since the dust or the like matter can becollected in the filter 98, the operator can readily remove such dust orthe like, which would be otherwise accumulated in each stacking unit 30,40, by cleaning the filter 98.

1. A paper sheet handling machine, which is configured to take papersheets therein from the exterior and then store the paper sheets in theinterior thereof, and comprises: a stacking unit having a storage spaceprovided therein and an opening formed in a side face thereof, thestorage space being configured to store therein the paper sheets takenin the machine from the exterior, while the opening is configured toallow the paper sheets stored in the storage space to be taken outtherethrough; a transport unit configured to transport the paper sheetstaken in the machine from the exterior, toward the stacking unit; and apushing unit configured to push the paper sheets stored in the storagespace of the stacking unit, toward the opening.
 2. The paper sheethandling machine according to claim 1, wherein the stacking units areprovided in a plural number, while the pushing units are also providedin the plural number, corresponding to the respective stacking units. 3.The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a first detector provided to the transport unit andconfigured to detect each paper sheet transported by the transport unit;and a control unit configured to control the pushing unit, wherein thecontrol unit controls the pushing unit to push the paper sheets storedin the storage space of the stacking unit toward the opening, in thecase the first detector detects that a predetermined number of papersheets are fed to the stacking unit.
 4. The paper sheet handling machineaccording to claim 1, further comprising the control unit configured tocontrol the pushing unit, wherein the control unit controls the pushingunit to push the paper sheets stored in the storage space of thestacking unit toward the opening, in the case the number of the papersheets stored in the stacking unit reaches a predetermined maximumstorage number assigned to the stacking unit.
 5. The paper sheethandling machine according to claim 3, further comprising a seconddetector provided to the stacking unit and configured to detect whetheror not the paper sheets are stored in the storage space of the stackingunit, wherein the control unit is configured to control the pushing unitas well as control the transport unit, and wherein the control unitcontrols the pushing unit and transport unit to interrupt thetransportation of the paper sheets by the transport unit, in the casethe first detector detects that the predetermined number of paper sheetsare fed to the stacking unit, while controlling the pushing unit andtransport unit to restart the transportation of the paper sheets by thetransport unit, in the case the second detector detects that the papersheets, which have been pushed toward the opening by the pushing unit inthe stacking unit, are taken out from the stacking unit.
 6. The papersheet handling machine according to claim 3, wherein the control unit isconfigured to control the pushing unit as well as control the transportunit, and wherein the control unit controls the pushing unit andtransport unit to interrupt the transportation of the paper sheets bythe transport unit, in the case the first detector detects that thepredetermined number of paper sheets are fed to the stacking unit, whilecontrolling the pushing unit and transport unit to restart thetransportation of the paper sheets by the transport unit, after thepaper sheets are pushed toward the opening by the pushing unit in thestacking unit, thereby newly feeding the paper sheets onto a top face ofthe paper sheets that have been pushed toward the opening.
 7. The papersheet handling machine according to claim 1, further comprising thecontrol unit configured to control the pushing unit, wherein the controlunit controls the pushing unit to push the paper sheets stored in thestorage space of the stacking unit toward the opening, in the case thetransportation of the paper sheets to the stacking unit by the transportunit is ended.
 8. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 1,wherein the storage space provided in the stacking unit is composed of aspace surrounded by a bottom face and one or more side faces of thestacking unit, wherein one of the side faces has a stacking wheelattached thereto, the stacking wheel being configured to stack eachpaper sheet fed to the stacking unit from the transport unit, in thestorage space, and wherein the bottom face constituting the storagespace is downwardly inclined toward the one side face having thestacking wheel attached thereto.
 9. The paper sheet handling machineaccording to claim 1, wherein the storage space provided in the stackingunit is composed of the space surrounded by the bottom face and one ormore side faces of the stacking unit, and wherein a cut-out portion isformed in the bottom face, at one edge thereof on the side of theopening of the stacking unit.
 10. The paper sheet handling machineaccording to claim 1, wherein the pushing unit includes a pushing memberconfigured to contact with the paper sheets stored in the storage spaceof the stacking unit and then push the paper sheets toward the opening,and a pushing member driving mechanism configured to drive the pushingmember toward the opening.
 11. The paper sheet handling machineaccording to claim 10, wherein the pushing member can be reciprocatedbetween a retracted position in which the pushing member is evacuatedfrom the paper sheets while the paper sheets are stacked in the storagespace and a pushing position in which the pushing member approaches theopening from the retracted position, and wherein the pushing memberwaits in the retracted position during a period of time in which thepaper sheets are stacked in the stacking unit, while pushing the papersheets stored in the storage space toward the opening, when the pushingmember is moved from the retracted position to the pushing position. 12.The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 11, wherein when inthe retracted position, the pushing member constitutes a rear side faceof the storage space of the stacking unit, and wherein the pushingmember is comb-shaped to be meshed with the other side face and bottomface constituting together the storage space of the stacking unit. 13.The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 10, wherein thepushing member is configured so that the paper sheets can be stacked ona top face of the pushing member, and the paper sheets stacked on thepushing member can be moved together with the pushing member, andwherein the pushing member is comb-shaped to be meshed with the sideface constituting the storage space of the stacking unit.
 14. The papersheet handling machine according to claim 13, wherein the pushing unitincludes a plurality of third detectors, each configured to detect theposition of the pushing member, and wherein the pushing member drivingmechanism can stop the pushing member in a plurality of positions, basedon each detection information obtained from the third detectors.
 15. Thepaper sheet handling machine according to claim 1, wherein the openingof the stacking unit is provided, such that the direction in which thepaper sheets are taken out from the opening can be substantiallyorthogonal to the direction in which the paper sheets are fed to thestacking unit from the transport unit.
 16. The paper sheet handlingmachine according to claim 15, wherein the direction in which the papersheets are fed to the stacking unit from the transport unit correspondsto the short-edge direction of each paper sheet.
 17. The paper sheethandling machine according to claim 15, wherein the direction in whichthe paper sheets are fed to the stacking unit from the transport unitcorresponds to the long-edge direction of each paper sheet.
 18. Thepaper sheet handling machine according to claim 1, wherein the stackingunit further includes a paper sheet arranging member configured tocontact with each edge of the paper sheets pushed toward the opening bythe pushing member, thereby arranging the edges of the respective papersheets.
 19. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 18,wherein the paper sheet arranging member can be moved in the directionin which the paper sheets are taken out from the stacking unit.